Gandhi Smarak Sangrahalaya

Established in 1961. Has a large collection of photographs portraying Gandhiji’s life, particularly his peache mission to Noakhali; also Photostat of letters to Gandhiji from different countries, letters written by him, a large number of press cuttings and bulleting and taperecordings of reminiscences of Mahatmaji. Has a good library of Gandhian literature.

Gandhi Smarak Sangrahalaya
14, Riverside Road,
Barrackpur,
District - 24 Parganas.

Also contains the pulpit, chairs and tables used by Carey. The library has a unique collection of early printed books in Indian and other Asian languages printed at Serampore.

Indian Museum

Established in 1814. First of its kind and still the largest in the country. The Museum has six sections: Art, Archaeology, Anthropology, Geology, Zoology and Industry (Economic Botany). The Art Section comprises mediaeval Indian paintings. Tibetan temple banners, metal images, enameled wares, bidriwares, ornaments, silver wares, glass wares, pottery, ivory and bone work, wooden sculptures, leather objects, lacquered toys, articles in jade and crystals and rare textiles from all parts of the Indian sub-continent.

The Archaeological Section displays stone-age artifacts from India and abroad, pre-historic antiquities from Mohenjodaro, Harappa, ranging from 2500 B.C. to 1500 B.C. , sculptures belonging to all phases of history from the 4/5 century B.C. to the late mediaeval times; inscriptions on stones and copper, Indo-Muslim architectural pieces and a representative collection of Indian coins. Indian bronzes and the art and crafts of Bengal are also housed in two separate galleries. A special gallery, displays a large variety of various Indian musical instruments.

The Anthropological Section displays numerous objects of material cultures of both tribal and non-tribal peoples of India, large dioramas put up through considerable amount of research work. The extensive Geological Section has over 80,000 specimens, displayed in four galleries showing varieties of meteorites, precious stones, ornamental building stones, rocks and minerals and fossils. The Zoological Section, the largest of its kind in India, is rich with innumerable specimens of insects, fish, reptiles, mammals and birds.

The Industrial Section has several thousand botanical specimens bearing upon medicine, forestry, agriculture and cottage-industry. The Museum has a publication unit and a library. Also runs a mobile-unit for rural areas. Offers guide service, arranges seasonal series of lectures and sells guide books, picture-cards and plaster-casts of ancient sculptures. Periodically publishes bulletins. Exhibits are labeled in English, Bengali and Hindi.

Indian Museum
27, Jawaharlal Nehru Road,
Calcutta - 700 013.

Nehru Children’s Museum

Established in 1972. Collections include puppets depicting the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, dolls wearing national costumes from different countries, miniature working models of railway crossings and other novelties and an elementary science gallery.

Nehru Children's Museum
94/1 Chowringhee Road
Calcutta

Timing : 1.00 am to 7.00 pm
Closed on Mondays.

Rabindra-Bharati Museum

Established in 1961. Located in the ancestral house of Rabindranath Tagore and attached to the Rabindra-Bharati University. Depicts the Renaissance Movement of Bengal in the 19th century and the role of the members of Tagore family therein.

A major section deals with the life and works of the poet. Has a rich collection of books, original paintings, manuscripts, photographs and other items related to the leading personalities of the 19th century such as Iswar Chandra Vidyasagar and Dwarkanath Tagore. Sells nicely printed sets of cards.

Rabindra-Bharati Museum
6/4, Dwarkanath Tagore Lane,
Calcutta - 700 007

State Archaeological Gallery

Established in 1962. Collections include rare tools of the Early, Middle and the Late Stone Ages from Susunia (Bankura) and other sites, proto-historic antiquities from Pandu Rajar Dhibi (Burdwan), terracottas, sculptures, stone and stucco from the Gupta, Maurya, Sunga, Kushana, Pala and Mediaeval times.

Also has section on ‘Historical Art’ opened in 1963; displays large number of old terracottas, bronzes, wood-carvings, textiles and manuscripts. Sells several card-sets and other publications; activities include explorations and excavations of historical sites.

State Archaeological Gallery
33, Chittaranjan Avenue,
Calcutta - 700 013.

Victoria Memorial

Established in 1903 by an Act of the then Governor-General-in-Council. Collections include items relating to Indian history from the 17th to the 20th century such as relics, documents, personal effects. Treaties, Sanads and Firmans, statues, portraits, massive oil paintings of noted artists, engravings representing famous and historical personages of the 18th and 19th centuries, paintings and engravings of Indian scenes, pictures of Old Calcutta, Mughal and Rajasthani miniature paintings, some Persian manuscripts including Ain-I-Akbari by Abul Fazal, Akbarnama, a manuscript history of Alamgir.

Persian translation of Nala-Damayanti by Abul Fazal, and also arms and armours of the period,. Recently has been added a gallery of national leaders and important docuements relating to freedom movement, and pertaining to Nandakumar, Vidyasagar, Michael Madhusudan and others. The impressive domed structure in white marble set up in a sylvan backfround houses source-materials on the life and culture of Indian people. Valuable coloured reproductions including scenes of old Calcutta by famous artists, picture-cards, guide books and research bulletins are available for sale.

Victoria Memorial Museum
Queen's Way
Calcutta 700 071

Timing
10.00 am to 5.00 pm
Closed on Mondays and government holidays.

Zoological Garden

Established in 1875, one of the largest in the country; well stocked with many varieties of popular important and exotic fauna collected from India and overseas. Special enclosures for tigers and bears in natural habitat, a rich reptile house and a section for birds. Specialised sections dealing with veterinary problems offers facilities for study of animal behaviour and acclimatization; undertakes research work regarding parasites and diseases of animals and birds.

Zoological Garden
2, Alipore Road,
Calcutta - 700 027.